MLB Daily Plays: Tue, May 13
I’m in mourning. As a Marlins fan (and a fan of baseball in general) I’m pretty bummed at the prospect of Jose Fernandez needing season ending elbow surgery. No, I’m not delusional enough to think the fish were going to make a run at the World Series or anything like that, but Jose is one of the game’s best, and most likable young players. His absence will be missed. Sure, we deal with the daily game and his pending shutdown will have little effect on our DFS lives going forward, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t hope him a speedy (and successful) recovery.
Speaking of DFS, the Cubs, Mariners, and Mets scored a combined 38 runs last night, so yea, this game is easy. Alright, enough yapping, let’s get to the games.
STARTING PITCHERS
Adam Wainwright – I know, but I don’t care. Yes, for whatever reason Waino has struggled vs the Cubs throughout his career (including this year). In his 6 starts vs non-Cubs he has given up just 3 ER this year. In the two starts against Chicago Adam has yielded 10 ER. Again, I just don’t care. Maybe I’m being stubborn, but Wainwright is one of the most consistent SPs in the game today, and if price isn’t an issue, he’s my #1 hurler on the day.
Hisashi Iwakuma – No one talks about this guy. Maybe its for fear of mispronouncing his name, but Iwakuma is priced down, has a fair matchup, and is in a pitcher’s park tonight. Hisashi got a late start this year, but he looked in mid-season form his last time out when he cruised vs the Royals.
VALUE STARTING PITCHER
Josh Beckett – Consistency has been Josh’s game of late. He probably doesn’t have the upside to hit double digit Ks (even against the strikeout heavy Marlins), but punchouts not withstanding, Beckett has yielded just 7ER in his last 5 starts. Additionally he’s a -170 favorite which positions him nicely for the win.
Other pitchers to consider – Cliff Lee, David Price, Gerrit Cole
CATCHER
Buster Posey – This is your obligatory “Buster Posey is facing a LHP” friendly nudge. While he’s probably not the best dollar for dollar value, Posey becomes an elite hitter when he squares off vs southpaws. While not a must, if you have the salary, don’t hesitate to splurge on Buster tonight.
VALUE STARTING CATCHER
Salvador Perez – Are we talking about catchers who can mash LHPs? While Sal isn’t quite the masher that Buster is, he offers a tempting discount if you are looking to save a few bucks.
FIRST BASE
Brandon Moss – Brandon absolutely mashes RHPs and should be in a tasty lineup position this evening. Scott Carroll had a reality check in his last start (4IP 11H 6ER) and I expect it to carry over to tonight, as not only is the talent limited, but the A’s can absolutely rake with their optimal lineups.
VALUE FIRST BASE
Matt Adams – Matt is inexplicably underpriced today. He’s having a strange year as the average is up, but the power is down. I expect this to be corrected soon enough. Adams has pretty distinct splits and you must take note when he faces a RHP. Matt has a .348 BA and a .871 OPS vs righties so far this year.
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley – Some dude named Matt Shoemaker is taking the mound vs the Phillies. The promotion is out of necessity, and not in conjunction with rewarding a job well done. This is evident by the following AAA stats: 6.31 ERA, 1.706 WHIP, and 26:9 K:BB in 25.2 innings. Oh, and once Shoemaker gets banged around and eventually exits, then the real fun starts with the Angels putrid bullpen.
VALUE SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve – I just can’t quit Jose Altuve. He’s one of my favorite players to watch and this is especially true when gets to face a LHP, which of course he will be tonight. I actually think the HOU right-handed bats make for a sneaky mini-stack vs Matt Harrison, who’s ERA is more flattering than it should be.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre – Adrian is coming off a game where he donged, and tonight he gets a pedestrian LHP to pick on. Beltre pummels southpaws and you can bet he’ll take aim at the tasty LF Crawford Boxes in Houston. The Astros also have a pretty awful bullpen, so even if a RHP comes in, I like Adrian’s chances for success.
VALUE THIRD BASE
Danny Valencia – Danny is just so cheap, and he excels vs LHPs. In a small sample Valencia is batting .320 with a .826 PS vs southpaws.
SHORTSTOP
Hanley Ramirez – Hanley gets another shot at his former team tonight and he comes in at a bit of a discount. No, he doesn’t get to face a preferred LHP, nor has Ramirez been spectacular this year, but Jacob Turner doesn’t exactly strike fear into a hitter either.
VALUE SHORTSTOP
Ian Desmond – Persistence finally paid off yesterday as Ian unleashed a much delayed dong. Tonight he’s still significantly underpriced when considering his talent and he gets to face Bronson Arroyo in one of the game’s most attractive hitting venues.
OUTFIELDERS
Jacoby Ellsbury – Jacoby let us down last night with an 0’fer. Tonight is Take 2 as all the elements that made Ellsbury an attractive play yesterday, exist once again tonight. Priced down, facing a RHP, and in hitter friendly Yankee Stadium.
Alex Rios – I know what you are thinking. Is there an outfielder that had a worse night than Jacoby Ellsbury? Why yes, there is. Rios managed to earn himself a golden sombrero (striking out 4 times) in a rather forgettable game. Cue the Men in Black memory erasing wand and move on. Tonight he’s in a ideal spot with facing a LHP in Houston, where the LF porch is homer friendly.
Yasiel Puig – It’s Yasiel Bobblehead Night!!! No, this doesn’t make him an autodong, but bobblehead or no bobblehead, he’s in a great spot to thrive vs Justin Turner. Furthermore, when Turner inevitably exits, the Miami bullpen is in shambles to some degree as well. Lastly, Yasiel has donged in 3 of his last 4 games, so yet another celebratory bat flip might be in the cards tonight.
VALUE OUTFIELDERS
Seth Smith – The name is as bland as they come, but the recent game log is a smorgasbord of fantasy goodness. He’s 12 of his last 24 w/ 4 2Bs, 2 3Bs, and a dong. Additionally he gets to hit in an ideal ballpark in Cincy and face a RHP.
Dayan Viciedo – I’m always intrigued by the “Tank” whenever he gets to take his hacks vs a LHP. The ballpark isn’t ideal, but when Dayan gets a hold of one, not even Yellowstone can contain it.
h3. Other hitters to consider – David Ortiz, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan Howard, Everth Cabrera, Josh Donaldson, Melky Cabrera, Eric Young, Matt Holliday, J.J. Hardy, Christian Yelich, Curtis Granderson, Nelson Cruz